11-21 June 2009 trip

This is the first day that I have had much time to do any blogging on the trip that Zee and I were able to make to Ethiopia. We started out landing in Addis Ababa on Saturday the 13th of June, staying at a place that Steve recommended. I just remember falling into bed that night after some really good Ethiopian food (Zee enjoyed the injura), but not really appreciating the fact that we had water and electricity.



The next day, we flew to Mekelle to make contact with the people that Ike's has been supporting there working with orphans. We were truly surprised by the climate there and the fact that it was unseasonably dry in that region of Ethiopia, thus electricity only every other day. Of course water only every other day. We prayed for rain there every day. We also are praying that God's kingdom reign there and that His Spirit would indeed "rain" on believers of Jesus Christ in that dry land.



I was a truly blessed as I looked around Ike's House and talked with the young men that God has placed there. They all have such ambition for the future. I heard their hearts as they spoke about becoming Pastors, Doctors, Journalists, Engineers and Sports Professionals. I believed God's word when he says that "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people." Psalm 113. This is my prayer for these guys in Ike's House.



Incredible to see the work that God is doing amongst all the orphans of Mekelle through Getachew and others at O.R.E. We would encourage anyone to support O.R.E. through Ike's or Fields of Promise or directly.



Zee and I were able to visit some very special people in Addis Ababa and in the countryside as well. We had a chance to visit a small orphanage affiliated with YWAM in Addis which has 12 boys and 13 girls. Logistically, these children need to be in separate compounds, but for now they are receiving care both spiritual and physical in one compound by the grace of God through the leaders there. We are praying about how God would have Ike's respond to this need.



We were also able to look at a bio-sand water filter project near the Zi-Way lake south of Addis Ababa. Since this would be a possible cottage industry for kids in the homes that we support and in addition would be directly beneficial for widows and orphans by providing clean water in their homes Ike's is leaning toward supporting this project.



It is great to be back home, the trip to Ethiopia was way too short, but Lord willing, Tess and I will be able to go back and visit in January of 2010.